by Author Andrew Jermey-Boys

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What is the link between Music Education Hubs and Youth Music Funding?

The government’s new plans for music education marks the beginning of some big changes for the sector, none other that the commissioning of new Music Education Hubs.

In this article I'll give you a quick overview of Music Education hubs and how Youth Music sees them linking to those we fund to deliver activity. We also offer some tips to those who do not intend to apply for funding through us but are still interested in creating links to Music Education Hubs in their area.

 

What are Music Education Hubs?

Music Education Hubs are a key recommendation in the National Plan for Music Education published by government in November 2011. The Arts Council states that Hubs “will be a collection of organisations working in a local area, to create joined up music education provision for children and young people, both in and out of school. Music Education Hubs will build on existing music services”. 

Find out more about the National Plan for Music Education and Music Education hubs:

 

HOw does Youth Music-funded activity fit into all this?

Youth Music funds music making activity, the majority of which occurs outside of school settings. Our focus is on helping children and young people with the least opportunity discover their creativity and potential through music. Find out more about the Youth Music Programme. Our next application deadline will be in April 2012.

 

WHAT DIRECT Support WILL YOUTH MUSIC PROVIDE TO Emerging Music Education Hubs 

As a result of Youth Music`s recent restructure, the roles of our Regional Executive Officers (REOs) are coming to an end on 31st March 2012. Youth Music is therefore unable to provide dedicated staff support to emerging Music Education Hubs after that point.

 

What EXPECTATIONS WILL BE PLACED ON Youth Music grant holders?

Organisations who are awarded funds under our Musical Inclusion or Networking modules will be expected to liaise with and contribute to Music Education Hubs. Delivery of these programmes will start in early 2012/13, and it is possible some of these may also be applying to manage a Music Education Hub in their area.

In late January 2012 we will be publishing a list of organisations who have applied for the Musical Inclusion and Networking modules and have reached the second stage of our application process. This is so that there are opportunities for those organisations and those applying to manage Music Education Hubs to contact one another if they so wish.

For all other funding modules we will expect applicants to consider how their proposal may fit alongside Music Education Hubs located near them in addition to the needs of the children and young people they wish to help.

 

What if i don't intend to apply for Youth Music funding?

If you don’t plan to apply for Youth Music funding but you work in music education we still strongly recommend that you:

  • Find out which organisation(s) are leading Music Education Hubs in the areas in which you work. This information should be available from Spring 2012 through the Arts Council but Hubs are unikely to be operational until Autumn 2012.
  • Try to establish how your ‘offer’ can contribute to Music Education Hubs and the priorities they may set. That might be through your specialisms, the knowledge and contact or networks that you have.
  • Try to see Hubs and the ways they could work as an opportunity to create better links between your provision and that of others in your area - not as an opportunity to just get money or contracts. How could your involvement create better opportunities and possibilities for children and young people.